Sophomore Wyatt Aycock picked up an event title on pommel horse with a career-best 14.70.

Photo Courtesy BreAnna Haessler/NU Media Relations

Courtesy: NU Athletic Communications

03/11/2012

Lincoln, Neb. - The No. 10 Nebraska men's gymnastics team notched a new season high score of 344.700 but was unable to edge No. 3 Illinois (353.650) and No. 6 Minnesota (346.900). The Huskers competed against the pair of Big Ten foes at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln on Sunday afternoon.

Sophomore Wyatt Aycock was the lone Husker to bring home an event title on the day, hitting a mark of 14.70 on pommel horse to lead the meet. Another ten Huskers picked up new season-best personal marks, including five career-best scores.

The day began for Nebraska on floor exercise, where the Huskers were paced by a pair of new season-best marks from freshman Grant Perdue and senior Andreas Hofer. Perdue led the way with a score of 15.05, while Hofer added a 14.95. Sophomore Mark Ringle also contributed a 14.60 as the team compiled a mark of 58.800.

Following the first rotation, Illinois led with a mark of 60.250. Nebraska followed with 58.800, while Minnesota trailed in third with a score of 55.550.

The Huskers moved to pommel horse for their second rotation, where Aycock's mark of 14.70 to lead the Big Red. Nationally-ranked sophomore Eric Schryver added a 14.55 to help the Huskers to a team score of 54.000.

After two rotations, Illinois remained in the lead with a team score of 119.050. Minnesota edged the Huskers for the second-place spot with 113.400 and Nebraska slid to third with 112.800.

Nebraska took to still rings for their third rotation, notching a team score of 56.300. Sophomore Donovan Arndt led the Huskers with a score of 14.40, while Hofer and junior Wyatt Baier added scores of 14.00 apiece.

Following the third rotation, Illinois held on to their lead, compiling a mark of 176.000. Minnesota remained in second at 170.550, while the Huskers narrowly trailed in third at 169.100.

The fourth rotation took the Big Red to vault, compiling a team score of 59.300. Baier was tops for the Huskers on the event, posting a season-high mark of 15.25. Hofer's mark of 14.85 was also his best this spring, and nationally-ranked Perdue tacked on a 14.65 as well.

The fourth rotation saw Illinois maintain their lead at 232.550, with Minnesota in second at 229.650 and the Huskers in third with 228.400 points.

Nebraska moved on to parallel bars for the fifth rotation of the afternoon, where Ringle had another excellent week, posting a score of 15.00 to lead the Huskers. Schryver added a 14.60, while Aycock contributed a 14.50 to help Nebraska to a team score of 58.550.

Following five rotations, Illinois pushed their lead out to 294.800. Minnesota trailed in second with 287.350, and the Husker brought up third at 286.950.

The Huskers finished their day on high bar, putting together a team score of 57.750. Hofer led the Huskers with a score of 14.60, while freshman Josh Ungar picked up a new personal-best mark of 14.50. Schryver also contributed his own season-best score of 14.35.

Following the final rotation, Illinois finished in the lead at 353.650. Minnesota used a strong final rotation to edge the Huskers at 346.900, and Nebraska picked up third with a score of 344.700.

Nebraska will hit the road again this weekend, travelling to Norman, Okla. to face the No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners and the No. 11 Air Force Academy Falcons. The teams will compete on Saturday, March 17 at 7 p.m. in the McCasland Field House on the University of Oklahoma campus. It will be the second meeting this season between the Huskers and the Sooners and the third between Nebraska and Air Force.